FIS Changes Official Terminology | Insists ‘Ladies’ Must Now be Referred to as ‘Women’

The International Ski Federation (FIS) yesterday announced changes to its official terminology when they approved a joint proposal of the Gender Equity Working Group, the Sub-Committees for Ladies´ Cross-Country and Alpine Skiing, as well as the Athletes Commission. In the English language “Ladies” must now be referred to as “Women”.

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The FIS Council approved the proposal at its recent meeting in Croatia. It means that the federations will no longer use “Ladies” in any applicable places, including its website and official communications.

“FIS realizes that the implementation of this change will have a transition period and cannot be replaced everywhere immediately,” the organization said in a statement.

“Nevertheless, the National Ski Associations and all stakeholders are requested to please start to use the new terminology of “women” when communicating in English, in day-to-day business and on any new materials produced.”

The federation has requested that national ski associations and all stakeholders start using the new terminology of “Women” when communicating in English for day-to-day business.

FIS says it realizes that implementing the change will require a transition period.

The federation emphasizes that the change does not apply for French or German, where the previous FIS terminology will remain, mirroring the terminology of the IOC using: “Women, Dames, Damen”.